title: Effect of anterior versus posterior in situ decompression on ulnar nerve subluxation.
abstract: We sought to determine the effect anterior versus posterior in situ decompression with 360° external neurolysis on ulnar nerve subluxation. Ten cadaveric specimens were used, with anterior release performed on 5 specimens and posterior release the other 5 specimens. Each specimen was released for 4 cm centered over the cubital tunnel followed by 12 cm, 20 cm, and 20 cm with 360° external neurolysis. After release, the elbow was brought through a range of motion from 0° to 140° of flexion. Compared with posterior release, anterior release demonstrated significantly more total subluxation of the ulnar nerve for all release types from 80° to 120° of flexion (P<.05). At 140° of flexion, the 4-cm release, the 12-cm release, and the 20-cm release with 360° external neurolysis also demonstrated significantly more total subluxation with anterior release (P<.05). Ulnar nerve subluxation was significantly lower with posterior release, compared with anterior release for limited and complete in situ decompression.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hand Surgery, Orthopedics Department, Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, Denver, CO 80205, USA. scrappy.hsu@gmail.com
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Edward G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Sutter
authors.forename: Seth P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Levitz
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Keith A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Segalman
authors.forename: Steve K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D017769:Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000601:surgery*